{"id":10050,"date":"2011-04-05T15:55:08","date_gmt":"2011-04-05T19:55:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/?page_id=10050"},"modified":"2013-03-01T12:42:52","modified_gmt":"2013-03-01T17:42:52","slug":"survival-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/students\/policies\/survival-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Survival Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Relevant Articles<\/strong><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ph.D., Check, Now What? Six Tips for Finding Your Dream Job<\/a><\/h3>\n

Seek Quality, Not Quantity, Experts Say<\/a><\/h3>\n

8 Steps to Build Relationships After a Networking Event<\/a><\/h3>\n

Boarding on Confusion\/Science Careers<\/a><\/h3>\n

The Impact of Influence \u2013 Why Scientists Need Mentors<\/a><\/h3>\n

From Science Ph.D. to Careers Outside Academia:\u00a0 What Might Help?<\/a><\/h3>\n

How to Ace a Phone Screening Interview?<\/a><\/h3>\n

The Most Important Interview Question of All Time<\/a><\/h3>\n

NIH Considers Anonymity For Grant Applicants<\/a><\/h3>\n

Forging a New Career Path<\/a><\/h3>\n

Careers Guide 2013: The state of pay<\/a><\/h3>\n

Career Advice 2013<\/a><\/h3>\n

Quick Fixes To Improve Your LinkedIn Profile<\/a><\/h3>\n

Self-Improvement Strategies for Becoming a More Authentic Leader<\/a><\/h3>\n

Getting to Know Americans<\/a><\/h3>\n

Preparing for a Postdoctoral Position<\/h3>
<\/em><\/p>\n

The factors that determine a \u201cgood\u201d postdoctoral experience are as various as
\nthe personalities involved. But certain key steps deserve careful planning.<\/p>\n

Choosing a field. <\/strong>Foremost is the selection of the research area. A postdoctoral
\nresearch project should be more than an extension of thesis research; it
\nshould lead to new skills and a broader outlook. The postdoc should understand in
\nadvance what portion of the work is likely to be transportable to his or her next
\nposition.<\/p>\n

Finding a postdoctoral position. <\/strong>Most postdocs in our focus groups4 found
\ntheir positions through personal contacts\u2014advisers, friends, and contacts from
\nprofessional meetings. Many simply approached potential advisers directly with
\ntheir qualifications and objectives. Few postdocs are hired after a simple response
\nto ads in journals and on web sites, but such sources provide valuable tips about
\nwhich institutions are hiring in which fields.<\/p>\n

Choosing an adviser. <\/strong>Both experienced postdocs and advisers suggest a
\nthorough investigation before signing on. Some postdocs place paramount importance
\non the prestige of the principal investigator; others emphasize mentoring
\nability. A researcher of renown has great power to help\u2014or hinder\u2014a career; a
\nnewer assistant professor may offer more attention, responsibilities, and a substantial
\nrole in building up a lab. In either case, it is desirable to: 1) arrange a
\npersonal meeting and 2) talk with current and former postdocs who have worked
\nwith that investigator or organization.<\/p>\n

___________________________
\n4Several hundred postdocs, faculty, advisers, administrators, and federal agency staff generously
\noffered their opinions, critiques, and personal experiences at 39 focus groups held
\naround the country.<\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 National Academy of Sciences.\u00a0 All rights reserved<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Poor Advising Practices<\/h3>
<\/em><\/p>\n

The following true examples, described by postdocs and advisers during the
\ncommittee\u2019s focus groups, illustrate situations or behaviors that can damage not
\nonly a postdoc\u2019s experience but also the morale and accomplishments of a program.<\/p>\n

\u2022 At a professional society meeting, a postdoc met several colleagues from
\nother institutions who were engaged in the same field of research. They invited her
\nto participate in a collaborative project involving an aspect of her lab\u2019s research.
\nWhen the postdoc asked permission, her adviser refused on the grounds that
\nrevealing the details of the lab\u2019s work might give others an advantage.
\nComment: Scientific research is increasingly collaborative. A postdoc should
\nbe encouraged to develop her professional network and to seek out cooperative
\nprojects.<\/p>\n

\u2022 An adviser who was a renowned lab director declined a postdoc\u2019s offer to
\nhelp assemble the lab\u2019s grant proposal. \u201cThat\u2019s my responsibility,\u201d he said.
\nComment: Grant writing is a skill most postdocs need to acquire. While a major
\ngrant is indeed the PIs responsibility, the postdoc also needs to learn that skill. The
\npostdoc should be asked to write the portion of the grant that describes his or her
\nown work.<\/p>\n

\u2022 An adviser with a wide reputation for hard work informed his group of postdocs
\nthat they could take a total of 12 days off each year, and that otherwise they
\nwere expected to be in the lab every day, including weekends.
\nComment: Advisers, following institutional policies, should establish reasonable
\npolicies for time off.<\/p>\n

\u2022 A postdoc whose adviser was rarely in the lab felt the need for more supervision
\nwhile learning a new field. When he asked the adviser\u2019s permission to find
\nan additional mentor, she refused on the grounds that another person would be
\nintrusive and would jeopardize the advising relationship.
\nComment: The adviser does not \u201cown\u201d the postdoc, who can often benefit
\nfrom multiple mentors\u2014especially if the primary adviser is often unavailable.<\/p>\n

\u2022 A foreign postdoc, after working in a program for several months, wanted to
\nreturn home for Christmas vacation with his family. When he inquired about leave
\npolicy, he was told that his institution did not provide vacations for postdocs and
\nthat his adviser expected him to be in the lab year-round.
\nComment: Minimum vacation benefits for postdocs should be set by institutions
\nand these policies should reflect the benefits accorded to other members of
\nthe lab or program.<\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 National Academy of Sciences.\u00a0 All rights reserved<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

A Successful Postdoctoral Experience<\/h3>
<\/em><\/p>\n

The elements of a successful postdoctoral appointment are as variable as the
\npostdoctoral population. For one unabashedly upbeat postdoc on a laboratory
\nfellowship (we\u2019ll call her Sue), these elements included early preparation, supportive
\ncolleagues, a fascinating research topic, the opportunity to learn time management
\nand self-reliance, and an effective\u2014though somewhat distant\u2014mentor.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Early preparation: Even as a graduate student in geochemistry, Sue began
\nbuilding ties to the research group where she wanted to go as a postdoc. \u201cTo get
\nthe most out of an experience, you have to offer something. I did my graduate work
\nin geochemistry; I wanted to work with a group in planetary physics, and I was able
\nto show them that I had something to contribute. I began doing some projects with
\nthem while I was in graduate school, so the transition was relatively smooth. One
\nof the best reasons to do a postdoc is to learn a new field, but it\u2019s best to prepare
\nthe ground early.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Supportive colleagues: \u201cI didn\u2019t always know where I was going, but it was
\nfairly easy to seek out good advice and constructive criticism both in my own institution
\nand elsewhere. A big challenge, and a difference from graduate school, is
\nthat you\u2019ve got to start putting together your own professional network of collaborators
\nand friends with whom you\u2019re going to be building your career. It\u2019s a good
\nhabit to spend time every week meeting new people, networking, looking at people
\nwho are successful to see how they do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 A topic of interest: \u201cI loved my work, and this is one reason it was successful.
\nI published 12 or 13 papers during three years as a postdoc, including one in
\nScience. I got to work on a variety of problems without getting stuck in something
\ntoo narrow. I was fortunate enough to have a great deal of freedom. I could follow
\nmy curiosity, and that allowed me to be very productive. I had the opportunity to
\npropose my own research and get it funded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Learning self-reliance: \u201cI spun my wheels for the first few months, trying to
\nfigure out what to do first, but there were some advantages to that experience. If
\nyou\u2019re going to be an independent researcher, sooner or later you\u2019ve got to learn to
\nfly the plane. When I was a grad student, I used to do all my own instrument work,
\nbecause my time was cheap and there wasn\u2019t anyone else to do it. When I became
\na postdoc, I was paid more and I had technical staff. I had a big adjustment in
\nmindset about organizing better and making the wisest investments of my time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Effective mentoring: \u201cI saw my adviser several times a week. He wasn\u2019t very
\ninvolved with my research, but what he did was right for me. He was always supportive,
\ngave me a long leash, and made sure I got to give talks at important
\nconferences. He did this for all his postdocs\u2014made sure that certain doors were
\nunlocked. What you do with that advantage, once you go in that door, is your
\nbusiness. Again, you\u2019re the one who\u2019s going to fly the plane. In the end, I was
\nfortunate enough to be hired by the same institution where I did my postdoc.\u201d<\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 National Academy of Sciences.\u00a0 All rights reserved.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

A Difficult Postdoctoral Experience<\/h3>
<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe, who has had two postdoctoral appointments in academic environments
\nand now works in the biotechnology industry, says it can sometimes be difficult to
\nanticipate\u2014or prevent\u2014a frustrating experience. For his first postdoc, he carefully
\nchose an adviser whose project in the life sciences seemed to fit nicely with his
\nown interests, but a series of difficulties blunted his productivity. He offers a summary
\nof his experience, and some lessons he learned:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Know when to cut your losses: In his first year, Joe tried several experimental
\napproaches that failed to give results. His adviser was seldom in the lab to offer
\nguidance, and Joe was slow to change direction. When he tried to consult other
\nsenior scientists, his adviser refused to allow it. \u201cShe felt this was interfering with
\nher laboratory. In retrospect, I probably should have cut my losses and moved on.
\nBut there\u2019s great pressure to keep going, to tough it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Understand your adviser\u2019s policy on publication: In his third year, Joe had
\nfinally found a promising new direction, obtained results, and written them up for
\npublication. His adviser, however, did not allow him to send out the paper because
\nshe felt it should be a \u201cbigger story.\u201d \u201cThe timing was critical for me. I had to be
\napplying for jobs, and I had no publications. I was ready to have my work judged by
\nmy peers, and I was unable to do so. She finally rewrote and published the paper\u2014
\nafter I\u2019d left the lab.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Talk with former lab members before signing on: Joe talked only with current
\nlab members, who he now knows are not in a position to be critical. Later he
\nlearned that he was the fifth postdoc to leave that particular lab without publications
\nor jobs. \u201cI should have talked with some former members, because they are
\nfreer to be honest. In a good training environment, postdocs are getting jobs and
\ncontinuing their research. I might have saved myself a lot of difficulty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Be clear about your agenda: He went on to do a second postdoc, with
\nbetter\u2014defined goals. \u201cI needed publications, and I was frank about this with my
\nsecond adviser. That lab was doing work in my field. I was offered a year\u2019s support,
\nand after that I knew I would be on my own. It was a fair offer, and clear. After nine
\nmonths I was able to raise my own funding. I got my publications, the work came
\nout well, and I entered the job market in good shape.\u201d<\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 National Academy of Sciences.\u00a0 All rights reserved.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Power Point Presentation by Dr. Joanne Kamens: “I’m Surviving (Happily) My Career in Science–You Can Too!”<\/a><\/h3>\n

“Figuring out how to juggle any career with the non-work part of line can be challenging but for working scientist, there never seems to be a way do do it all.”<\/p>\n

Tips on How to Survive a Dominant Boss<\/a><\/h3>\n

Dealing with a dominant personality can be a challenging feat, especially if it’s your boss.\u00a0 If you find yourself working for this type of employer, you may be tempted to call it quits.\u00a0 However, learning to work with this type of personality is an extremely valuable skill.\u00a0 So if the job is worth it and you are looking for a way to make it work, here are seven tips to survive, and thrive, with a dominant boss.<\/p>\n

ASBMB Article about the Challenges of International Postdocs<\/a><\/h3>\n

How to Survive and Thrive in the Mother-Mentor Marathon<\/a><\/h3>\n

Article by Dr. Galit Lahav, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Relevant Articles   Ph.D., Check, Now What? Six Tips for Finding Your Dream Job Seek Quality, Not Quantity, Experts Say 8 Steps to Build Relationships After a Networking Event Boarding on Confusion\/Science Careers The Impact of Influence \u2013 Why Scientists Need Mentors From Science Ph.D. to Careers Outside Academia:\u00a0 What Might Help? How to Ace […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4137,"featured_media":0,"parent":5393,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10050"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4137"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10050"}],"version-history":[{"count":44,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27565,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10050\/revisions\/27565"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5393"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}